the color lab blog — women's clothing

I love a good slip dress. Whenever I see a really special one, I grab it. They are so easy to wear, figure flattering and widely size inclusive. Almost every womenswear brand has at least 1 or 2 in their offerings because they have become a classic fashion staple. I think designer Carly Cushnie did them the best so when I was late to the budget-priced and hyper colorful Cushnie x Target collab last Summer, I panicked. Fortunately, I was able to snag 2 lovely slip dresses, that have now become my absolute favorites, before they sold out. I wear both all year-long so instead of packing them away until the next warm weather season like you may be inclined to do, I work them into my wardrobe planning year-round. Scroll down to see all of the ways I make them work for almost every season!

I hope you love the products I recommend! This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

left: Dress: Cushnie x Target (no longer being sold but a similar dress here) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Necklace: JulRe Designs Studio | Shoes: Nine West | Hair: Shakeria at NJnaturalstyles Hair Studio

right: Sweater: Lou & Grey (from a few years ago) | Boots: Nine West (available in black only, limited sizes)

left: Dress: Cushnie x Target (no longer available but lots of great styles available here) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio

right: Sweater: Lou & Grey (no longer available) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio 

left: Dress: Lou & Grey (gone but here's a goodie!) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Shoes: Nine West

right: Hoodie: Uniqlo (currently not available but this one is fabulous!) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Booties: Nine West

Here are a few more slip dresses I adore:

TED BAKER Printed Midi Slip Dress

TORY BURCH Embroidered Sheath Midi Dress

VINCE Satin Midi Slip Dress - Nordstrom

BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Slip Dress 

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Tie-Dyed Maxi Slip Dress

Until next time, may your life be filled with an endless stream of COLOR!

I missed posting your links last week but I'm trying to make up for it with this week's really special ones. Enjoy!

• Which major fashion brand do you think is at the forefront of using plant-based materials for some of its products? The answer may surprise you. (DesignTaxi)

• These exercises DO help strengthen your core and if a flatter tummy is a side benefit, I'll take it! (Prime Women)

• Here's fresh green jewelry to wear yourself or to give in honor of Spring! (JulRe Designs Studio)

• DIY Project: These gorgeous Paper Flowers are so simple to make for a Mother's Day brunch place setting.

• Museums have started to reopen. Hooray! This artist's inspiring and colorful outdoor exhibit is one of the many I'm looking forward to seeing. (MOMA)

• I recently did some Spring dress shopping - in my closet! I'm just a bit embarrassed by what I found. (The Color Lab Blog)

• As a Marvel fan, this interview with the creator and showrunner for the newest Avengers action series on Disney+, was revealing and very relevant in our current times. (Polygon)

• Reading glasses are a necessity for many of us and the search for colorful and fashionable ones is over. I'm head-over-heels in LOVE with these. (CADDIS)

• A toast to these 10 Black women who are successfully distilling spirits in the male dominated industry. (Thrillist)

• Get 20% OFF my favorite glow-inducing body oil with code 'GLOWROSE' until 3/21/2021! (Gem Luxe Beauty)

Until next time, may your life be filled with COLOR!

 FROM OUR PARTNERS

Juliet in NIKE Swoosh Sports Bra (a newer version here), FILA SPORT High Waisted Leggings (similar ones here), RYKA Influence Cross Training Shoe (available here)

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

There isn't a color palette more exciting than Neon. Punchy, supersaturated hues never go out of style. From Brilliant Blue to Lime Punch to Super Pink, Neons were created to excite. I'm a child of the 70s and 80s who remembers having fluorescent neon posters and black lights that turned my outrageously loudly colored bedroom into my own personal disco complete with strobe lights and Donna Summer and Chic blasting on my record player. Back then, Neon was on trend and fashion statements in these megawatt colors were made daily. So are you already saying, "There's no way I can wear these hues"? I get it. Today, they get trotted out on the fashion runways every few seasons and as a lover of bright, bold colors, I appreciate that. But my commitment to this palette has been long lasting and I don't fear pushing the color envelope with all of that vibrance.

Pantone Neon Colors

If you dare, start with a little pop of neon with your basic neutrals for everyday. A belt or a purse. Maybe a cute sandal. Or better yet, go all in during your workouts like I do which is a great way to see that there is no need to fear the brightest of brights. There's a Neon shade(s) for everyone!

To help you dabble in the this pa-POW palette, I've assembled some of my favorite activewear that will not only help to elevate your heart rate, wearing Neons may even give you an extra boost of happiness to help you enjoy your workouts as you power through. Shop my 8 activewear finds in hot colors below!

1.  ALEADER Women's Running Shoes - Amazon

2.  GLOBAL BANK Slim Fit Workout Jacket - Amazon

3.  SWEATY BETTY Stamina Longline Sports Bra - Nordstrom (no longer available but here's another good one!

4.  EPIC MMA Gear Yoga Shorts - Amazon

5.  SPIRITUAL GANGSTER Self Love Leggings - Nordstrom (SOLD OUT but LOVE these!)

6.  247 VIZ The Reflective Vest - Amazon

7.  ADIDAS ORIGINALS Tinted Belt Bag - Amazon

8.  CHAMPION Women's Essential Double Dry V-Neck Tee

Until next time, may your life be filled with joy and color!

• Playing the sleep game can wear you out and there are so many products and potions being pushed at us with guarantees of 8 solid hours of zzzzz's. I'd rather try this more satisfying approach. (mindbodygreen)

• If 'Dry January' is a thing for you, I highly recommend these all natural zero-proof alcohol alternatives. Keep an open mind: No alcohol-free spirit will ever taste exactly like its more spirited counterpart. But these are excellent adaptations. (Amazon)

• There are at least 15 intriguing books on this list of the 55 most anticipated books of 2021 that I have already downloaded or will as soon as they are available. (Oprah Magazine)

• Are you a 'picky kitty' parent? Cats may be the most finicky of all pets. Here are a few things my own fickle fab feline have made his favorites. (The Color Lab Blog)

• This private dining experience from one of my all time favorite restaurant groups is tailor-made for those of us who miss the pleasure of having a culinary treat prepared by a master of their craft. (Blue Hill at Stone Farms)

• Brian Clarke's The Art of Light exhibition at the Museum of Art and Design in NYC is a euphoric display stained glass on steroids.

• I'm a sucker for all things Rose and this creamy tea is everything a floral fragrance lover could dream of. A super soother!

• From the incomparable jazz virtuoso, Wynton Marsalis (with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet), music for the moment. (jazz.org)

• Not only do these come in great colors, but I do believe they may be the world's softest socks. 30% off until 1/20/21! (Hanes)

• My Color Mood

CLICK HERE to read the entire Color Collective series.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

Images (top left, clockwise): Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Texas, 2020 by David Benjamin Sherry, Orange Handbags, Spooky Blooms from Bia Blooms, Healthy, Colorful Smoothies

• The renowned US edition of the annual art exhibition, Art Basel Miami Beach, concluded last Sunday. In the age of Covid, the online viewing rooms were a welcome sign that creativity will never be thwarted.

• 'Orange' you excited about the holidays? This color in a handbag is the perfect accessory gift with a built in uplift! (Amazon)

• Recipe of the Week: My Energy Blast Smoothie will give the boost you need to not only stay healthy but to level up your daily vitality. 

• Throwing it back to tie-dye with these comfy crew neck sweatshirts. (Champion)

• DIY Color: The Art of Gift Wrap - Recyclable Edition (nytimes.com)

• Florists are the world's greatest purveyors of color, IMHO. One of my favorites is the LA-based, uber talented @biablooms. When you're in need of some 'happy', stop by her Instagram page.

• And speaking of all things floral, the botanical design competition, Full Bloom on HBO Max is fabulous and totally binge-worthy.

• Can I just say that this color mixing game is so soothing that it's the one rabbit hole you won't mind going down? (Apple)

• This gorgeous book was created to help children explore color and its relationship to art from ancient times to present. (The MET Store)

• We're about to say 'so long' to Pantone's Color of the Year 2020 but I would be remiss if I didn't give a fitting farewell to deep, rich Classic Blue this Holiday season.